MICHIGAN MAKEOVER: Starts with Small Business
Third annual Walsh College Small Business Conference
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Did you attend the conference? If so, give us your feedback here.
Walsh College Business Leadership Institute Third Annual Small Business Conference on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at the College’s Novi campus featured one radio celebrity, two panel discussions, 18 breakout sessions, 30 exhibitors, and more than 200 guests. WWJ and Corp! Magazine were primary media sponsors, and WWJ's Jayne Bower was the radio celebrity who welcomed guests in the morning.
I attended the Small Business Conference today and wanted to write to tell you that it was GREAT! The flow, content and presenters made for a very interesting and informative day, plus my boss and I met and networked with many new contacts. Hats off to Walsh for putting on such a great event, very nicely executed. eValuations Direct would certainly be interested on attending more seminars at your facility. Vicky Thompson, Marketing Director, eValuations Direct, LLC
The morning panel covered this year's small business makeover on Achatz Handmade Pie Company and Infra Corporation.
Wendy and Dave Achatz were on hand to discuss their makeover with conference participants during breaks.
Lunch speaker Jim Hiller, president and CEO of Hiller's Markets, spoke from the heart about his experiences as a small business owner, and his convictions in support of Michigan.
The breakout sessions received rave reviews and a couple of them were standing room only! Thanks to the presenters for offering their expertise. If you would like information on any of the breakout sessions, please email the presenter or visit the presenter's website.
Cash Is King: How To Manage Cash Flow & Increase Working Capital for Michigan Small Businesses
Mike Semanco, President & COO, Hennessey Capital; Toby Dahm, Senior Vice President, Hennessey Capital; Jeff Wright, Senior Vice President, Hennessey Capital.
Tax Strategies for Small Businesses and Their Owners
Laura Arens, CPA, MST, Derderian, Kann, Seyferth & Salucci, PC.
Ten Rules for New Business Success and Survival
Ursula Scroggs, CPA, president and managing partner, Derderian, Kann, Seyferth and Salucci, PC.
H.R. Regulations That Affect Your Michigan Small Business.
Rebecca S. Davies, Esq., Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C.
Superior Operations: “HURON to something!”
Michael Pircer, president, MAP Business Solutions.
Make Michigan Your Acre of Diamonds!
Raymond Campbell, Walsh alumnus and president, Mastermind Solutions.
Reviewing Your Payment Processes
Amy L. Smith, AAP, CAE, President & CEO, The Payments Authority.
Say Yes to Michigan Small Business Resources!
Lola Aré, Center Director, Senior Business Development Rep - Business Consultant, Oakland County Business Center
Meaningful Legal Documents for Estate and Business Tax Planning for the Michigan Business Owner
Francis G. Seyferth, attorney with Foster, Swift, Collins and Smith, P.C.
Making a Profit in Michigan?
Alan Lund of UHY Advisors.
Michigan Field of Technology Dreams
Peggy Feltner, executive vice president at ZenaComp Inc.
Marketing in Michigan’s Economic Climate: Method Behind the Madness
Erin Robinson and Kathy Gambino of Delicious Marketing.
Michigan is Going Digital. Are You Keeping Up? – Social Media Marketing Strategy Development
Brandon Chesnutt, Walsh MBA student and Account Executive with Identity Marketing & Public Relations.
Future You.
Mark Young, president, Western Creative, Inc.
Extreme Small Business Makeover
The 2008-2009 Makeover sponsors selected Achatz Handmade Pie Co. and Infra Corporation as the winners of the next makeover. Keep track of the makeover progress at www.walshmakeover.blogspot.com
Makeover includes:
- Derderian, Kann, Seyferth & Salucci, P.C. 20 hours of professional consultation for each business to include a business, tax and financial systems overview, including a business benchmarking analysis. Estimated value is $3,500, but the impact may be priceless!
- Foster Swift Collins and Smith Attorneys: Five hours of legal consultation per business. Value: $2,500
- Hennessey Capital: Financial analysis
- Microsoft and Zenacomp: Networks for each company, up to 10 workstations included. Value: $10,000
- Mastermind Solutions: HR Audit. Value: $1,500
- MAP Business Solutions: One day productivity analysis session which includes techniques on improving business processes. Value: $6,500
- The Alternative Board Metro Detroit: Two coaching sessions per month for eight months. Value: $8,000
- UHY Advisors: Three consultants will perform a comprehensive financial and operational assessment with recommendations and 5 to 7 days of implementation assistance. Value: to $10,000
- Western Creative: Marketing and brand advice. Value $1,500.
- The Payments Authority: Electronic payment analysis.
- Advanced Strategies Group: Financial advice.
Media Sponsors
The 2007-2008 Small Business Makeover involved a Detroit wholesale food distributor, a Troy air cleaning company, and a Troy carbide die company and was sponsored by the Walsh College Business Leadership Institute. Atlas Wholesale Food Company, Sanit-Air, and Wolverine Carbide Die Company each received one year of free assessments, products, strategic planning, coaching, and equipment valued at a total of more than $50,000.
Find more information on Walsh BLI programs:
Hot Topics
Michigan Business Success Stories
In addition, the Walsh Business Leadership Institute offers custom programs for the workplace. For more information contact Jan Hubbard at jhubbard@walshcollege.edu. Check out the Hot Topics Workshops for an exploration of possible custom seminars.